The Cradle connects friends online

EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two years ago The Cradle entered Facebook to raise adoption awareness among Chicagoland's 20-something crowd. The result has far exceeded this initial intention.

Birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted individuals have all shared their stories through Facebook.com/TheCradleAdoptionServices.

"Hi!" posted Sarah. "I just wanted to let you know that The Cradle is awesome. You guys were available when I needed you. My son is now with an AMAZING family! He is almost 18 months and we have a very open arrangement. Just wanted to say thank you."

"It seems like only yesterday that we walked out of The Cradle with our little man - a mere 5 days old," posted Alyson. "Three years later, we still say a prayer of thanks every time we drive by The Cradle. Thank you to the incredible people who worked with us at The Cradle and especially to our son's wonderful birthmom."

From the onset, The Cradle has been surprised by Facebook's impact and reach. To date, there have been nearly 300 postings. One of the first to "friend" The Cradle was a man whose great grandfather was the agency's first medical director. Within a few weeks, a Cradle birthmom wrote to offer support to other birthparents during the holiday season - a time that can be particularly hard for those who have recently placed a child.

"We've been delighted that all members of the adoption circle are chiming in on our page," said Julie Tye, President of The Cradle. "Cradle 'babies' now in their 40s are sharing stories and pictures; birthparents are sharing their experiences and offering support to each other; adoptive parents are using the page to express thanks to a birthmom that they may never have met; and those hoping to adopt through The Cradle are sharing their profile with anyone who may be considering adoption for their baby."

And as one adoptee simply posted, "My birthmother's decision to share me up for adoption through The Cradle has got to be one of the greatest blessings anyone can bestow. I will forever be profoundly grateful."

For more than 85 years, The Cradle has been highly regarded as one of the country's foremost adoption agencies and has placed more than 14,000 children into permanent, loving families.

SOURCE The Cradle Society

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http://www.cradle.org